John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (NKJV)
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
James White on Secular Anti-Christian Bigotry!
I have not listened to this entire video yet, but I trust James White will do justice to the subject - Enjoy!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Shocking statistics regarding pastors and suicide!
It was sad to see that pastor Isaac Hunter committed suicide this week. Issac is the son of Joel Hunter, a presidential advisor, who is also a past coworker and long time friend of my Mother in law. In reading an article about his death I saw some very shocking statistics from the Schaeffer Institute on the mental/emotional state of pastors.
Here is a link to the original article - Pastors and suicide
Here is segment of the article with the statistics I found so surprising -
"There is no lack of statistics about pastors and depression, burnout, health, low pay, spirituality, relationships and longevity—and none of them are good. According to the Schaeffer Institute, 70 percent of pastors constantly fight depression, and 71 percent are burned out. Meanwhile, 72 percent of pastors say they only study the Bible when they are preparing for sermons; 80 percent believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families; and 70 percent say they don’t have a close friend. The Schaeffer Institute also reports that 80 percent of seminary and Bible school graduates will leave the ministry within five years."
I have mixed feelings about these statistics. On one hand I wish the pastorate was not so mentally and emotionally taxing on most. On the other hand, I can relate to these statistics and it is good to know that I am not the only one who feels stressed and burnt out at times. I also must take comfort in the fact that I have some very close friends in the church, and I don't think my church or ministry has been a negative influence on my family.
I was talking to a friend who pastors a church near me recently and he asked if I was encouraged by what I see in my church, I replied that I was very encouraged at the moment, but if he asked me again in a few hours and I may feel differently. I hope I have learned that my own feelings, as up and down as they can be, are not the best way to evaluate the success or failure of anything, especially the church.
One of the main ways I deal with the mental/emotional struggles of ministry is by remembering that this is not heaven and I, like others, must look to the life to come for a stress free life. In the meantime, I hope to continue to do the Lords' work with His help, even with these occasional mental/emotional struggles. I pray that others who suffer in ministry would find people they can share their struggles with and find the encouragement to press on until the Lord calls them home.
Quote above from - Why Are So Many Pastors Committing Suicide?
Here is a link to the original article - Pastors and suicide
Here is segment of the article with the statistics I found so surprising -
"There is no lack of statistics about pastors and depression, burnout, health, low pay, spirituality, relationships and longevity—and none of them are good. According to the Schaeffer Institute, 70 percent of pastors constantly fight depression, and 71 percent are burned out. Meanwhile, 72 percent of pastors say they only study the Bible when they are preparing for sermons; 80 percent believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families; and 70 percent say they don’t have a close friend. The Schaeffer Institute also reports that 80 percent of seminary and Bible school graduates will leave the ministry within five years."
I have mixed feelings about these statistics. On one hand I wish the pastorate was not so mentally and emotionally taxing on most. On the other hand, I can relate to these statistics and it is good to know that I am not the only one who feels stressed and burnt out at times. I also must take comfort in the fact that I have some very close friends in the church, and I don't think my church or ministry has been a negative influence on my family.
I was talking to a friend who pastors a church near me recently and he asked if I was encouraged by what I see in my church, I replied that I was very encouraged at the moment, but if he asked me again in a few hours and I may feel differently. I hope I have learned that my own feelings, as up and down as they can be, are not the best way to evaluate the success or failure of anything, especially the church.
One of the main ways I deal with the mental/emotional struggles of ministry is by remembering that this is not heaven and I, like others, must look to the life to come for a stress free life. In the meantime, I hope to continue to do the Lords' work with His help, even with these occasional mental/emotional struggles. I pray that others who suffer in ministry would find people they can share their struggles with and find the encouragement to press on until the Lord calls them home.
Quote above from - Why Are So Many Pastors Committing Suicide?
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Do I get offened when others think my doctrine is flawed?
Recently I watched a video of a discussion by Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, and Eric Hankins, pastor of First Baptist Church in Oxford, Miss. They were discussing the recent attempts within the Southern Baptist Church to bring a spirit of cooperation between those who hold to a reformed view of salvation and those who do not. I thought it was a good discussion, but I was most struck by a comment Al Mohler made.
Basically he pointed out that whenever we get offended or defensive because someone with another view is suggesting our doctrine is flawed, we are by definition saying we think their doctrine is flawed.
I like what I have heard John MacArthur say along the same lines - he knows there are flaws in his theology and as soon as he becomes aware of them he will fix them. That surely is a better starting point if we truly want to be able to listen to others and possibly even come to agree with them.
Here is a link to the discussion mentioned above.
Basically he pointed out that whenever we get offended or defensive because someone with another view is suggesting our doctrine is flawed, we are by definition saying we think their doctrine is flawed.
I like what I have heard John MacArthur say along the same lines - he knows there are flaws in his theology and as soon as he becomes aware of them he will fix them. That surely is a better starting point if we truly want to be able to listen to others and possibly even come to agree with them.
Here is a link to the discussion mentioned above.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Wretched Radio tackles a sensitive subject!
Original post found at wretchedradio.com
While I think this video presents a valid biblical argument, I think their may be times when it could be appropriated to disobey the government for purely patriotic reasons. This might include choosing to disobey individuals in authority within the government who are making laws in violation of our own constitution, even if the things involved are not specifically sinful. Not sure, but worth considering I think!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
OT Israel, were they so bad or are we in denail?
I am finishing preaching through the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1:1-17 this week. I had previously focused on the promises made to Abraham and David and their prominence in the genealogy. This week I will go through the rest of the list and hopefully we will marvel at the ability of God to use and complete His plans through such a bunch of sinners.
Some of their sins do seem unimaginable:
Joseph's treatment by his brothers is taking jealousy to an extreme level.
David's affair is one thing, but killing Bathsheba's husband Uriah is shocking.
Ahaz made his children pass through the fire and then liquidated the articles of worship in the temple to buy protection from pagan nations.
I could list many other heinous acts among those listed in the genealogy, but should we see the list as people to look down on or people to identify with!
If there is anything I have learned in my time in ministry it is that everyone has sin and it is often far worse than we would like to admit to God or share with others! Our situations may not always be as extreme as these listed, but we do plenty that is quite shocking and we may only have the lack of opportunity and cultural changes to thank for not doing exactly what these OT folks did.
The list given in Matt. 1 should have caused Israel then and us now to realize we are a mess and we needed the Messiah Jesus to save and change messes like us!
I think one of the most profound statements of scripture on Israel's history and the need to admit we are sinners is found here:
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (NKJV)
The genealogy in Matt. points out that Israel had always been in slavery to sin and was often in slavery to other people, but a refusal to admit our slavery means we can never receive Jesus as our deliverer and be truly free.
May God grant us the eyes to see our own history and current lives clearly, such that we might abide in Jesus and His word, and be free indeed!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Some of their sins do seem unimaginable:
Joseph's treatment by his brothers is taking jealousy to an extreme level.
David's affair is one thing, but killing Bathsheba's husband Uriah is shocking.
Ahaz made his children pass through the fire and then liquidated the articles of worship in the temple to buy protection from pagan nations.
I could list many other heinous acts among those listed in the genealogy, but should we see the list as people to look down on or people to identify with!
If there is anything I have learned in my time in ministry it is that everyone has sin and it is often far worse than we would like to admit to God or share with others! Our situations may not always be as extreme as these listed, but we do plenty that is quite shocking and we may only have the lack of opportunity and cultural changes to thank for not doing exactly what these OT folks did.
The list given in Matt. 1 should have caused Israel then and us now to realize we are a mess and we needed the Messiah Jesus to save and change messes like us!
I think one of the most profound statements of scripture on Israel's history and the need to admit we are sinners is found here:
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (NKJV)
The genealogy in Matt. points out that Israel had always been in slavery to sin and was often in slavery to other people, but a refusal to admit our slavery means we can never receive Jesus as our deliverer and be truly free.
May God grant us the eyes to see our own history and current lives clearly, such that we might abide in Jesus and His word, and be free indeed!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)